The Feeling

THE FEELING
"JOIN WITH US"
(Universal Island/UK, 2008)


"Won't Go Away"


The Feeling's debut album, "Twelve Stops And Home", was fantastic -- and therein lies the problem when awaiting the sophomore effort from a band this good. While being really eager to get their hands on it, one would be wise to at the same time be fully prepared to be disappointed by it. But as it turns out, I needn't have worried that Dan Gillespie-Sells and company would reward their loyal fans with another set of delicious, '70s-pop-rock-inspired ear candy.

The lead-off single, "I Thought It Was Over", gives the listener the perfect idea of what to expect from this new disc. Picking up right where their previous album left off, it doesn't really break any new ground, but the band does exhibit subtle signs of natural growth, with lyrics and arrangements that are a bit more sophisticated in places ("Spare Me", "Loneliness", "Connor") ... and in other places, they seem to have a more relaxed sense of fun ("Turn It Up", "Won't Go Away").

Sure, this album could be thought of as "more of the same", since its sound isn't a radical departure from "Twelve Stops", but in a way that's a good thing. They didn't try veering off in a new direction -- and if they felt that doing so would seem unnatural or that it would alienate or confuse their fans, or if they simply didn't feel the need or desire to, then why should they? They stuck with the formula that made their first album a hit ... more power to them. At least they've made this fan already start hungering for album number three...!

CD of the Week: The Feeling

THE FEELING
"TWELVE STOPS AND HOME"
(Cherry Tree, 2007)

I first heard this UK group in a podcast and was intrigued. That night, I visited their website and waited patiently for my pokey dial-up connection to stream audioclips from three or four songs. I went from intrigued to enamored, and had to buy the album immediately. At the time, it was only available as a UK import. Well, now it's finally been released here in the states, although with new cover art that's much less interesting (and much less representative of the album's sound) than its UK and international releases.

The Feeling have crafted a charming, walk-in-the-park sound that brings to mind Supertramp with a dash of Electric Light Orchestra. Upbeat and mid-tempo numbers ("Fill My Little World", "Love It When You Call") are the norm, usually with endings that meander into a graceful fade-out that never overstays its welcome. The album never gets boring, though; "Strange" is a fine ballad and a worthy candidate for the new anthem for the misfits of society, and another highlight is the wistful and dreamy "Never Be Lonely".

If you want music that's perfect for a drive down the coast on a sunny afternoon with the convertible top down, or even if you don't, just go buy this album. I have "the feeling" (sorry, I couldn't resist!) that its charms will win you over.